What Are the Best Headlights For BMW?
Unlike halogen headlights, HID (High-Intensity Discharge) bulbs create an electric arc within a glass bulb filled with xenon gas. This allows them to emit brighter light, consume less energy, and last longer than halogen bulbs.
BMW’s pride and joy are their laser headlights which debuted in Europe with the 2014 i8. These lights are able to mask other road users’ high beams with precision to reliably prevent dazzling.
Halogen
Halogen headlights adorn many BMW vehicles, and while they’re functional, they don’t offer much in terms of visibility. These bulbs emit a yellow glow that doesn’t illuminate the road very far, and their lifespan is shorter than other headlight types.
The first technology to try and address this was high-intensity discharge (or HID) lighting, which utilizes an electric arc produced by two electrodes in a glass filled with xenon gas. This type of headlight provides a cooler, more powerful glow and is also more efficient and durable than halogens. Luckily, this technology made its way to BMW vehicles as an optional upgrade for the E generation models.
Xenon lights are more than double the brightness of halogen headlights, which is a major improvement for drivers. They also have a more natural color temperature, which is closer to that of sunlight. Xenons are a common option for BMWs and can be found on the G20 1 Series, G30 3 Series, G31 5 Series LCI and G32 6 Series.
The most modern and effective headlight technology available for your BMW is Adaptive LED, which was introduced in 2014. This feature is designed to adapt to the road configuration and speed, ensuring that you’ll see all the cars around you at all times. It’s even more effective than Xenon headlights, and it’s standard on the G20 3 Series and the G30/G31 5 and 6 Series.
Adaptive LED
When a BMW is equipped with adaptive LED headlights, the lights automatically adapt to your driving conditions and the road configuration. Depending on the road’s dips, crests and your speed, the lighting will change to provide optimal visibility.
Typically, a car equipped with this feature will have a “high-beam assist” switch that automatically dims part of the light beam to avoid blinding other drivers when you turn on your high-beams. Some modern BMWs even have a highway mode that automatically illuminates a wider area when you’re travelling at speeds above 25 mph.
The latest technology in adaptive LED headlights is a’matrix’ system which uses many small individual LEDs to create a flowing, changing pattern of headlights for bmw light. These lights are sometimes sold as ‘adaptive headlights’ but it’s important to check the actual tech used, because some systems use much fewer LEDs and aren’t necessarily adaptive at all.
Upgrading to adaptive LED headlights is pretty simple for most models, but it’s always a good idea to consult your owner’s manual to see exactly how to remove the bumper cover. Once you’ve done that, you should be able to access the wiring plugs for the headlight modules and replace them with new ones. It’s a good idea to strip an inch or so of insulation off each wire before plugging them into the connectors.
Laser
Laser headlights are the next level of BMW’s innovative technology. They are designed to illuminate the road ahead more intensely than traditional LED headlights, and they’re able to do so without blinding oncoming drivers. They can be found on newer BMW models like the G20 3 Series, and they’re expected to make their way onto upcoming models, too.
These smart lights are powered by blue laser diodes, and they’re able to generate a bright white light with a very high intensity. Laser headlights can be up to 10 times brighter than an ordinary LED and they use less energy too. This means that they can help you see further and drive safely at night.
When BMW first announced its laser-based headlights, the Internet was abuzz with Star Wars jokes and concerns about safety issues. However, BMW’s engineers have assured us that the headlights are completely safe to use and can’t damage objects in front of you. They also have features that prevent them from blinding oncoming drivers, so you’re not at risk of seeing a laser beam coming toward you in your rearview mirror.
As with HID and Adaptive LED headlights, the headlights for bmw laser headlights can’t be turned on for full-beam operation until you press a button on the steering wheel. A shutter moves out of the way when you turn on your high-beams to prevent blinding other drivers.
Hella Euro Lights
If your headlights are giving off a low light output then it’s important to fix them as soon as possible. The reason is because a dimly lit car light not only makes it difficult to see, but it also puts your safety at risk. However, if you have the proper knowledge and tools then you can easily change your car headlights yourself instead of having to take it to the workshop.
This Hella upgrade is a great way to increase your visibility on the road at night. It swaps out the US sealed beam headlights for a European style H1 high-beam. This headlamp produces a much more defined light pattern and better light output using the same amount of power. This is a great safety upgrade for BMW owners.
The OE factory lights on your BMW can begin to degrade over time, causing them to have poor performance and even crack or break. By replacing the headlight assembly with this OE replacement from Hella, you’ll be able to restore your vehicle’s lighting performance and appearance back to its original state.
Unlike other parts manufacturers, Hella is a premium manufacturer that supplies automotive components to multiple top car brands. As a result, their genuine parts are made and tested by BMW before they ever make it to the dealer.
